Africa

Despite its abundance of natural resources, the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent is also its poorest and least developed. Years of exploitation by colonial powers, a history of conflict, and a chronic lack of investment have left vast swathes of Africa profoundly impoverished, and subject to problems like malnutrition, poor sanitation, and inadequate infrastructure.

Living conditions for most of the continent’s inhabitants remain poor, and Malteser International’s work in Africa focuses on strengthening local healthcare systems, and improving food security and water supplies in order to help protect public health. Providing support to some of the large numbers of refugees and displaced people created by the ongoing instability in South Sudan is a challenge that cuts across national borders.